hey guys, i need serious help; after playin for a week, my reed smells like it`s decomposing, with that moldy smell, what is happening?

its the stuff that you eat before and the smell goes onto the reed sort of like not brushin your teeth for a week so it will start to smell...so you can by these like... mouth piece freshners and they`ll do the trick...

Tenorman wrote: "...mouth piece freshners..."

What are you talking about, man? There`s no such thing as a mouthpiece freshener. All you have to do is rinse the mpc in lukewarm water, and then dry it off. If you do that after every playing session, you`ll have NO problems with odour.

As for the reed - unless you`re playing five hours a day for a week, then you shouldn`t have a reed crap out after that amount of time. If that is the case, then maybe you aren`t using the best reeds. I would suggest using Vandorens - they make many different varieties which are suitable for classical, jazz, and other genres of music.

You can lengthen the life span of your reeds by taking care of them properly:

First, you need to get a reedgard case. These are special plastic cases that hold your reed flat, and allow moisture to escape it at the same time. Second, make sure you soak your reed in warm to hot water for at least a minute before each playing session. This softens up the reed, and creates a seal with the mouthpiece. After you are done playing, wipe off the excess moisture, and put the reed back in the reedgard case. If you do this, the reed will NEVER warp. I have been using this technique for 4 years, and it always produces good results.

Lastly, make sure your mouth is reasonably clean before you play. If at all possible, brush your teeth, too. Never eat, or drink anything besides water while you play. This corrodes the inside of the instrument, and messes up the pads. Use common sense, and treat your instrument with respect. It will thank you in the long run.

Cheers,

Thomas

Thomas is right of course about how to keep it clean. But since your mouthpiece already smells like crap then like wash it with soap or listerine or something. Throw the reed away. I usuly buy a box of ten reeds (i`m cheap and use rico royal, I personly am fine with them and like them more then vandorens, but most peeple will disagree with me there) and use one a day then switch to the other. pretty simple.

Wildband wrote: "But since your mouthpiece already smells like crap then like wash it with soap or listerine or something."

Yes, that`s true, too. If the mouthpiece is already too dirty to clean with warm water, then soak it in a lemon juice/water solution, or a detergent/water solution. Never use acids that are any stronger than lemon juice. After it has soaked for at least 10-15 minutes, take it out, rinse it off, and wipe it down with a clean cloth. Never use scrubbers, or abrasive brushes to clean the mouthpiece.

Make sure that you clean your mouthpiece as often as possible, and never let it get so dirty as one described above. Again, take care of your instrument, and use common sense.

Thomas

You shoundt judt use a reed one day and toss it.

Steve,

Actually, you can. If the reed is no good to begin with, then that gives you the prerogative to throw it out. I`ve had reeds that I`ve played on for about five minutes before chucking them, because they were no good.

this is off subject but is there really mouth piece fresheners and where do i get some

your reeds as you know r very important to the sax. if you dont take good care of it not only will it smell like crap, but you will play like crap.

Be aware of what you eat, and please don`t eat directly before you play, and I always rinse my reeds (similar to how oboe players do) and put them back in the plastic case in which they came from.

Also, I also recommend Vandoren reeds. They are much higher quality than anything I`ve ever used.

Also, never invest in a plastic reed, unless you want a bright sound. (Which no one wants.)

Just a few tips.

I`ve been playing for seven years, so I`m pretty aware of what I`m talking about.

-Cristina

AIM: xotinabellexo